Healing 2 The Nations International ~ Dr. Claudia R. Wintoch ~ Blog November 2008

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Sunday, November 30, 2008

4th Church Anniversary & Baptism

Ever morning we teach the street kids, and today it was time to teach on baptism. We didn't have any adults to get baptized, only children, and they needed to understand what it was all about.

So I explained it to them, and demonstrate it with a barbie doll. They were listening carefully. In the end, I asked who wanted to be baptized. Too many hands went up, and so I explained clearly the seriousness of baptism; it's like getting married to Jesus. Every kid that still wanted to get baptized, I asked him whether he was sure, and then wrote down their names. A few kids still changed their minds in the course of the day.

The celebration was set to begin at 3 pm. Elisabeth and our neighbor Rosalie were taking care of the cooking, and Paul's fiancée as well as Firmin's sister were also helping. We had too little couscous, and so we had to buy the same quantity again. I also had many other things to take care of before the meeting started.

I was ready early, and had lots of piece. I talked to the baptismal candidates, and then I talked to the "street kid choir". They have been singing so wonderfully in the morning, that I asked them to sing with Paul as a choir.

At 3 pm we got started, and as you can see, few people were there in the beginning - that's typical. By the end, we had about 3 times this number of people.

Paul and Souleymane were leading the time of praise; I had decided to not play the keyboard today as I usually do in the service. They were doing a great job, and I took a few video clips that you can watch here - clip 1, clip 2 and clip 3. The picture shows the "street kid choir" in the front.

After the time of praise and worship, I introduced who we are, what we do, and shared our history, and our vision for the future.

Then I invited Erwin up to share the gospel. He gave a simply presentation, and then we invited people to start a life with Jesus. Again, I prayed the prayer, with people repeating after Paul. In the picture you can see them raise their arms to receive Jesus.

I had reserved the first two rows for the 15 baptismal candidates - our 3 new kids, plus 12 kids that still live on the street but spend the night at our place. I was so proud as I looked at them!

The time for the baptism had come. I had the list of children to be baptized, and called them up one by one. They entered into the tank, and then I asked them what their life was like before Jesus, how they found Jesus, and how their lives had changed. A lot of them had a hard time responding to those questions, and they all pretty much said the same. Before, their live was bad, they found Jesus through Hawa (that's me), and now their life is better.

Picture: resident kid Moise.

Then I asked them three questions each - whether they believed Jesus is God and died for their sins, whether they had accepted him as Lord and Savior, and whether they intended to live with him the rest of their lives.

They all answered yes to all the questions, and so we baptized them each in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. People were crowded all around us, trying to see what was going on. By the time we had baptized all 15, I was very wet, and had had about 20 electricity jolts (nothing is grounded here, and I get my jolts every day) - much to the kids' amusement.

Then we had the newly baptized children stand in a row, and I gave them their certificates. Three of them had adopted a new name because of the Muslim meaning of their old names. I had looked up the meaning of each kid's name, as I believe the meaning of names is significant with God.

I then started praying with the first kid, with Paul interpreting for me, and a spirit of prophecy came on me. It was awesome how I started prophesying over each boy. Hallelujah! This picture shows Chaka - the boy I felt more destiny on than any other. I was blown away! Our two visitors were also praying for them, right behind us.

Then I handed the mic to Erwin again to give a short healing message, and he did. As always, he asked people to come forward and receive healing prayer. He was soon surrounded by people who all wanted to get healed, or watch a miracle.

This week we have not ocunted how many people were healed or saved, but it was many. I think besides pain that's gone, it was blind eyes, or bad eyesight, that was healed the most. It was wonderful to see the smiles on people's faces as they were suddenly able to see. Awesome God!

While our visitors were praying, I started to pack up stuff so it was done before the sun was gone. Then they started serving the meal. However, they had not asked me, and nobody had prayed over the food. And so it was the first time we ran out of food; in the past we've seen food multiplied several times.

All our street kids that spend the night here complained about not having eaten yet. I kept telling them to be patient, and that they'd all eat, while somebody went to buy a few packages of pasta; we did still have enough sauce.

We had also bought 100 bottles of soda, and the evangelist's assitant Harald was in charge of distribution. However, I should have prepped him better, as a horde of children charged him. He ran, with them running after him, until he was with his back to the wall. Unfortunately, he had run into Sekouba's vegetable garden, and Sekouba lost it. He ran there and started beating kids mercilessly so they'd get out of his garden.

We had to stop the distribution, and tell the kids that way nobody is getting anything. And that was it.

The street kids all ate, even though it was late, and then went to bed, after having said good-bye to Erwin and Harald.

At 9 pm, we loaded their luggage onto one car, and left to drive to the airport, where it was time to say good-bye. Erwin and Harald started their journey home to Austria, while we returned to our property and went to bed.

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Saturday, November 29, 2008

Weekly Street Kid Program

Today it was Erwin who taught the street kids. But first, they played some games, while waiting for Jean to come back from the bus station with more street kids. Then we had a time of praising God. I was shocked to see how tired Paul was - to the point that he even hit one of the street kids! He had a hard time interpreting also, though he normally is a great interpreter.

Erwin shared the story of the prodigal son with the children, and in the end, he had them come forward one by one, and he hugged each child, telling them he loved them. It really was a precious time! In the end, I also encouraged Paul to go and get a dosage of fatherly love.

Then it was time for the kids to eat. This picture shows Erwin with four of our non-resident sponsored kids in our living room - from left: Hama, Anatole, Sarata, Sama.

Meeting 3 Of 4 In Bamako

In the afternoon, Erwin addressed my kids and team, talking to them about servanthood, cleanliness, humility, and submission and authority. However, I wished he'd been much more clearly, like Pascale had been 3+ years ago. Immediately after the meeting there were incidents showing me it had gone in one ear and come out the other.

All that stuff discouraged me greatly, and I withdrew from the remaineder of the afternoon in frustration. I was hoping they'd set everything up for the meeting the same way we had done last night, even with me not being there, watching them and directing them.

When it was time for the meeting, I went outside. They had set up most of it. And then I learned that the generator wasn't working any more - again. I couldn't care less at that point. Everything is constantly broken and destroyed - it's cultural - and I'm beyond caring.

It meant no light for our meeting, but you don't need light or a sound system to proclaim the gospel. We had a flashlight - the only light we had during the meeting that went much the same as the nights before, except that the time of praise was short because of lack of light, and that I did not dance with the kids. Instead, I sat down on one of the chairs, and had the kids sitting on me and next to me.

Again, people were saved and healed, though less than the night before. Our visitors noticed the bad atmosphere, which made me sad. I think we were all happy when the meeting and day was over.

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Friday, November 28, 2008

Hama & Sarata At School

Every Friday, the students at Hama & Sarata's school present to their parents what they've learned that week. I try to go there very week. Today, I asked Harald (Erwin's assistant) whether he wanted to come along. We'd go out to eat before going to their school.

Paul came along as well, and the three of us had lunch together before driving to the school. When Sarata saw me, she immediately jumped into my arms, and Hama also moved towards me. I was so glad to see my little ones again!

Then grade after grade did their presentation. You can see Sarata sitting on the floor here, in the very middle, with the purple clothes.

Hama now has a teacher to himself - a volunteer working with him. She taught him to sing and sign "Old MacDonald had a farm", but he was too shy to do it in front of everyone.

From there we drove to the unfinished house where Seybou and his family live now. It pains me every time to see how they live. And every time I go there, I see how glad Fanta is to see me. Seybou wasn't there, and so we asked Fanta whether the kids could spend the day with us tomorrow, for he kids' program and time with our visitors. Then I had to leave them there. Sarata and Hama both ask me frequently whether they would sleep at our place again, or come over...

Paul later told me that Seybou would like a recommendation from me, as a former employer. What an audacity to ask for that after all that's happened!

Embarrassment

More than once I've been embarrassed in front ot our visitors because of kids' or team members' behavior. To the point, that Erwin said he'd like to address them and talk to them about submission, humility and servanthood. It was planned to do that on Saturday.

And then, he told me yesterday that he would move into a hotel for the two remaining days - because the bathroom is "more dirty than I've ever seen anywhere else in the world". He said it was unbearable. Also, he'd had some bad nights because of the heat, and wanted to sleep in an airconditioned room.

We were all deeply shocked, as we had obviously failed our visitors. Every week, the kids rotate their tasks, and Abdias was the one on duty to clean the bathroom this week. Unfortunately, he's the one who either doesn't do it or doesn't do it well. Paul - with his tiredness and irritability - really gave it to him! Abdias went to clean the bathroom then.

Another time, the water wouldn't flow off, and it was Erwin who withdraw a stick from a lollipop! Another time, it was dripping under the sink. The plumper came and left, and it was still dripping. However, Erwin repaired it easily himself!

I made arrangements for Erwin to go to a hotel tonight, but then he told me today that the bathroom had been cleaned, and last night it wasn't as hot, and he'd stay. However, if he'd ever come back to Mali, he'd stay in a hotel.

We were all relieved that he was staying.

Meeting 2 Of 4 In Bamako

After a break - and it was good for Erwin to have a day off - it was time to set up for the evening meeting. Erwin wanted to show excerpts from a Jesus movie, and so we set up the screen and projector. We hung our white sheet down from the dining hall, and set everything up in front. We had rented 50 chairs so that everyone could get a seat, and set them all up.

At 7:30 pm we started praising God and dancing, and again there was much joy. Again, I was dancing with the neighbors' kids, as more and more showed up, and more and more adults showed up as well.

Then it was Erwin's turn who preached a salvation/healing message. At the end, we turned on the projector and showed the crucifixion and resurrection. Then he gave a call for salvation, and as before, we prayed a prayer of commitment that they repeated.

Then it was time to pray for the sick again. One lady was healed of hiccups she'd had continually had for years, and other people were healed as well.

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Thursday, November 27, 2008

Day 3 Of 3 In Dio

Once again, we left Bamako for our third day of teaching in the village of Dio. Today, we had an evening meeting, but it was to be on our property, so we had more time than on Tuesday.

As always Erwin did a great job teaching the new believers and unbelievers. He taught on forgiveness and bitterness, and on faith, and barriers to receiving your healing, on the power of the tongue, and on what the Lord has done for us.

Again, we had lunch together as a team and with Enoch.

After lunch, we had some rest before we started the afternoon session. Erwin taught for another hour, and then he had another hour to pray for the sick.

While he was praying, it was time to distribute the sugar. Every person who had been here for the whole three days received 20 kilos of sugar; that was only 17 people. About 200 had come through the pastor's property in total, and 150 had eaten every day.

It was time to say good-bye - the picture shows Paul with Enoch - and return to Bamako. Many women complained that they had not received any sugar, but we had made it clear in advance that they needed to attend the whole seminar to receive any.

Erwin's resumé of the three days of teaching was that he would not do it again; it was too tiring for him, especially all the driving back and forth. I still hope there'll be much fruit coming out of it. Enoch had 4 new people in the service the following Sunday.

Meeting 1 Of 4 In Bamako

After a break back in Bamako, it was time to set up for the first meeting on our property. The kids had gone out to distribute invitations a few times, but nearly not enough. We decided to do the first meeting inside.

We used our own generator to give us light and use the sound system. Paul and Souleymane were leading Bambara praise, and I was outside to encourage people to come in rather than standing at the door. All the neighbors' kids were coming, and I started dancing with them outside, while the street kids were dancing inside the building. Especially the little girls were holding onto my hands, and were fighting over who would get to be next to me and hold my hand. I so enjoyed dancing with them, and had much fun!

Then it was time for Erwin to speak. He would always flee during praise time because of all the dust we were stomping up on the dirt floor. Erwin did a healing message, and then we prayed to receive Jesus. Then he started praying for the sick.

One sick boy had two legs of different length. He had him sit down and started praying. Before all our eyes the short leg grew out until it was the same length as the other. As the kids were watching on, they started screaming and more and more started crowding around the miracle. It was awesome!

Erwin prayed for a few more people before we started to pack up. We gave our street kids their dinner, and their ID cards, and prayed for them, before they went to bed, and only then were we able to do the same, or do other stuff.

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Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Day 2 Of 3 In Dio

Every morning, the street kids get a breakfast after the time of worship and teaching. These pictures show them in our courtyard, enjoying their millet-based breakfast.

After breakfast, they play games - mostly soccer - until Jean comes back from dropping off our kids at school, and takes them back to the bus station.

We left Bamako at 8 am again, for our 80 minute drive to Dio. Today there were no plans for the evening, and so we weren't rushed like yesterday.

Again, people were already waiting for us. About 40 from another village had spent the night there, since their village was too far away. Some of the women were doing the cooking (see picture) - for 150 people.

Erwin did about 2 hours of teaching in the morning, and then we had a lunch break. We sat together a little apart, and were given separate food. We enjoyed the meal, and then had another hour to rest before the afternoon session.

In the afternoon, Erwin taught again. More people had shown up in the meantime. People were listening very carefully. It was a joy to watch them. I'm sure that the old men would not have listened the same way to me - a woman, and young. That's why I knew Erwin's presence would make a huge difference. I can only hope that lives were changed.

When he was done teaching, it was time to pray for healing again. We tried to do it in an orderly fashion, but it was hard. Everyone crowded around us, and we simply couldn't get them to keep a distance, or come one by one. So I thought, maybe we could go inside the church building and have them come in one by one, but that didn't work either. You can see them crushing us in this picture.

Finally we found some way and prayed for person after person. We ended up praying for two hours straight. Many were healed. This picture shows an old lady in a wheelchair we prayed for.

It was late afternoon before we left Dio to return to Bamako. On the way home we stopped at the supermarket, so our visitors could buy more of their much-loved yoghurt. Back home, it was later than expected, and since Erwin was tired, he went to bed early. Originally it was meant to be the night for him to spend time with our boys, but he sure needed the rest.

For me, it was a chance to do some office work that had remained undone.

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Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Day 1 Of 3 In Dio

We had to leave for Dio at 8 am. The generator had worked fine the night before, so we expected to use the sound system; we were paying quite a high price for it. Our own 3(!) generators were all not working. As yesterday, the street kids were seeing us off. The picture shows Erwin with some kids.

I'm not at all a morning person, but I drove the car across town and then on into the villages. It was our visitors' first chance to actually see town.

We arrived in Dio at a decent time, and set up the system. A good number of people had already arrived, from different villages. Our goal was to teach all the new believers from the different villages some basics of Christianity - very important for those baby Christians. I was very glad that Erwin was willing to do that.

As we were seeting up the system, we were unable to make it work. After 45 minutes of trying, and our precious time slipping away, we finally decided to do it without the sound system.

First, Paul was doing a few praise songs, with Sekouba and another guy playing the drums. Then Erwin started teaching - in German. I interpreted into French, and Paul into Bambara. Today, Erwin gave them the basics, since there were a lot of unbelievers as well, and everyone prayed a prayer of salvation together with us.

In the end, he prayed for the sick, like this blind boy in the picture, and some were healed (though not the boy who was also mentally handicapped).

Since we had to go to another village in the evening, we had to leave earlier this first day. After lunch - which had already been scheduled - we got into the car and drove back to Bamako, where we had some rest before leaving soon after.

Second Time In Now Reached Dra

We started out on our 45 minute journey with the goal to get there before he sun was gone. The atmosphere in our house had been very tense in the afternoon, with tiredness and fatigue making people irritable. We had originally planned to show the MATTHEW movie again, but now we had no generator or power. However I had total peace, and even felt joy - to my great amazement!

By faith I told them to load one of our three "broken" generators onto the car. After all, we repair it every week, and as far as I knew, it had been repaired once again. We also took one of the bright lamps with us. Paul didn't think it would work.

Arriving in Dra, we had to inform them that there wouldn't be a movie. We were also delayed, and so the people had already started leaving. Since there was not gonna be a movie, the village chief told us to do the meeting in the same location as in the morning, rather than where we would have done the movie.

So we started setting up, with few people around. Would they come? We started the generator - and it worked! Hallelujah! One of our two lamps were already broken, and now we were able to have one of them work and give us light in this village without electricity. However, no sound system.

After everything was set up, Paul and Souleymane started leading praise songs. Fousseni and Moise had also come along. As you can see in the picture, the music was drawing people to us, curious to see what was going on.

I joined the dancing kids, and had very much fun dancing and jumping around with them! What a joy! They all wanted to be the ones holding my hands! I loved it!

After an extended time of drums and praise (with words that could hardly be heard), it was time for Erwin. He shared a healing story from the gospels, and then made a call for salvation.

I prayed the prayer in French, with Paul interpreting, and people repeating after him. Then Erwin started praiyng for the sick.

Again, we saw several miracles and healings. The son of one of the elders of the village, who was helping us keep order, was deaf, and he was healed. Praise God! The village elder was very happy!

Erwin prayed for everyone who wanted prayer, and my boys continued praying for them. This is the first time we've been evangelizing without them, since they are in school now, and we've missed them.

We returned to Bamako, a little earlier than last night, but it was still pretty late, and we were tired.

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Monday, November 24, 2008

Unreached Village Dra

I'm writing this blog a week later, so please bear with me that many details will be lost.

For the first time we had decided to venture into a new unreached area where we haven't been before. Dio and the other villages where we have been preaching the gospel, are on the other side of town, to the northwest, and though we are on the edge of town, we had never ventured out into the villages closeby.

One of our church members comes from one of those villages, and it was the open door we needed. The village of Dra invited us to come and preach the gospel to them for the first time.

We packed the car with sound system and rented generator, as well as drums, with the street kids watching us. Jean wasn't back from school yet, where he had dropped off our kids. So we asked one of the neighbors to watch our empty property until his return, and asked the street kids to wait for their ride outside. Some of them actually wanted to come along, but that wasn't possible.

We arrived in Dra, and the village chief showed us where to show up - under a big tree, as usual. The chief had told all his villagers to leave their fields and come to listen to us.

We set up, but then found out that the plug of the generator is not correct - so no sound system. As Sekouba played the drums, and Paul sang, more and more people showed up, gathering around us. Then Erwin started preaching a gospel and healing message. Funnily enough, it was the exact same passage God had given me to preach in May that I've preached in most every village now. Good thing this was a new village.

Erwin made the call for salvation, and I prayed the prayer in French, with the people repeating in Bambara after Paul. Then we started praying for the sick, and we saw several healings. The blind see... (see picture).

Jesus Film In Diago

After a short rest, and a visit to the guy who we had rented the generator from to change the plug and make it work, we got into the car to drive the 90 minutes to Dio. We picked up our pastor there, Enoch, and drove to Diago, where we first preached the gospel in May when 500 people were healed and 200 saved.

We went to a different location, and I was disappointed at the low numbers of people. We set up everything, but didn't make it before the sun had disappeared. With some genius, we were able to make everything work. I had the MATTHEW movie in Bambara with me, so we could show them the life of Christ.

But first Paul led worship, together with Souleymane who had skipped school in the afternoon so he could join us. It was wonderful to see how the people joined in and danced in their traditional way in a circle. I walked away for some time, sitting on the back of the car, and gazing at the sky that was covered with stars, far from any pollution from electricity.

We greeted the people, and started the 80 minute movie. The DVD is pretty scratched by now, and so there were problems in the beginning, and the end didn't work either. We were all amazed at how cold it was, and several of us were freezing, including Erwin. Just a few days later, in Bamako, Erwin was unable to sleep because of the heat!

I had a hard time staying awake during the move that I have seen dozens of time, and then it was time for Erwin to talk to the people. He gave a short explanation of the gospel and then we prayed for salvation. After the salvation prayer, he started praying for the sick, and people were healed. While he was still praying, I started packing up with the kids. En och had already left - and then we started out on our long way home, even turning on the heating in the car! It was after midnight before we got home, and we had a short night ahead of us.

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Sunday, November 23, 2008

Sunday Of Frustration, Tiredness and Fun

At 5 am our new night guard woke me up (after 3 hours of sleep) because the evangelist's assistant wanted to go to the bathroom. I had even told him last night to take him to the Malian toilet, rather than into the locked house, and so I repeated that. I had thought there was some emergency. I went back to bed for another two and a half hours. All day long I suffered from the short night.

At 8 o'clock we did our daily time of praise and Bible study. Like yesterday morning, it was so wonderful to see the street kids dance and praise God! Awesome! Yesterday I spontaneously decided we'd do a street kid choir for our anniversary service next week, having the kids sing and dance in front of everyone. That will be awesome!

I continued teaching out of Mark 8, and it went very well. Then the kids had breakfast, and I helped out Erwin & Harald to find everything they need. It was going on 10 am before I was finally able to leave and take the kids back to the bus station. Harald came with me. Many kids decided to stay in the neighborhood since the service would start only 5 hours later.

We had asked Seybou & Fanta whether Hama and Sarata could come over, so that they'd have a chance to be with our visitors and so that Erwin can pray for Hama. He had agreed, and so I went to pick them up. The kids were already waiting for us! Seybou & Fanta were both there, and Seybou greeted me warmly, as if nothing had ever happened. He asked about my health, then we drove off with my precious little ones.

Back home, I sat down with Erwin and Harald to talk about some details. I was so tired, I just wanted to lie down! After our conversation, I unpacked the new keyboard I've purchased to get familiar with it and be able to use it during the service. By the time I was done with those different things, it was pretty late already, and I just had to lie down. I had an hour of rest, but wasn't able to sleep.

Since my return from Austria, I've been very concerned about Paul. He looks awful all the time, sleeps to little, and the pressure on him from different sides is nearly crushing him. On Friday we had lunch together, and he told me how much he'd like to leave the ministry. He also shared about the problems with his brothers, his Dad, and his fiancée, which is all weighing him down. In fact, more fire is gonna come... pretty soon I'll be able to share with you publicly what he's going through when it cannot be hidden any more. All to say, please pray for him. It's been hard for me to try to deal with him in his state.

As so often, there was a lot of frustration on my part before the service, as things weren't going the way they should. In the end, everything was set up and ready for the service; including the new wireless addition to our sound system. Finally, I'd be able to use a headset again to play the keyboard.

Paul and Souleymane did a great job leading worship. By the third song, there was so much joy and dancing, it was wonderful! People started coming, and as always, many would stay standing at the door to just look inside. Then it was my turn to lead worshipful adoration songs to touch the heart of God.

After offering and announcements, we introduced our visitors and had Erwin come up. He then preached a simple gospel message. In the end, we prayed for those who wanted to give their lives to the Lord, and those who needed healing. Nobody actually came to know Jesus for the first time - though we had new people - but several people were healed.

After the service, Paul ran off to the market to buy food for dinner; we fast lunch on Sunday, and so no one had gone to the market. Jean had thankfully shown up, and so he took Elisabeth and her family home, as well as Hama and Sarata.

I was totally wiped after the service, and had a hard time dealing with all the request coming from every side. And still, when I saw some of my kids, I asked them whether they wanted to play a game with me. Is that the way to deal with tiredness?

Fousseni, Souleymane, and the new kid Dramane then ended up playing a new Nintendo Wii game with me, and we had so much fun! We forgot all about time and hunger (not having eaten at noon). We played until 9:15 pm.

By then, the other kids were in bed, and Jean and Paul had just come back from picking up the rented generator for the week - though they didn't find the guy there and came back empty-handed. Because of their errand, they had not gone to pick the street kids up at the typical time, and so many weren't actually with us. I was wondering whether they'd spend the night.

As the evening went on, they showed up one by one!!! They had walked all the way to our place!!! I was so happy to see them! How can I love them so much? Why am I so happy with them, and so fulfilled helping them?

Now it's midnight, and Paul and Jean are still gone, back to the generator guy to pick it up. Tomorrow we have a busy day, evangelizing in one village in the morning, and going back to one of our new church plants in the evening.

Please pray for us!

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Saturday, November 22, 2008

Getting Ready For Visitors

Please bear with me as I'm writing this nearly 2 weeks later.

I continued decorating the house, while my kids went out door-to-door to invite people to the events of next week. The street kids went door-to-door withour own kids, and several came back with reports of healings and salvations. Praise God!

These are some new pictures of 3 of my boys, those who've been with me for a while - from left: Fousseni, Souleymane, Abdias.

In the afternoon I was busy getting everything ready for our visitors' arrival in the evening - get both their rooms ready, and get the house clean, etc.

They arrived at 9:20 pm, and both Paul and I were there welcoming them. They were able to get all the luggage through customs, but only after giving them some Euros. We then drove them home, where they went straight to bed.

Some new pictures showing the progress of construction:

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Friday, November 21, 2008

Police Summons

Please bear with me as I'm writing this 2 weeks later.

Please read the report about the police station in my email newsletter here.

Time With Children

From the police station Paul and I went downtown to go out to eat, before driving on to Hama & Sarata's school for their weekly presentation. The school had moved, and I had never been there, and so we had a hard time finding it, but we finally did. Unfortunately I had missed their presentation that way.

It was so good to see them again. We dropped them off at home, before returning home ourselves.

Back home, I started putting up Christmas decorations, since I wanted to get as much as possible done before the arrival of our visitors. The picture shows Sekouba, helping me with some basic stuff. The decorations all turned out wonderfully.

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Thursday, November 20, 2008

Visitor From Organization

Please bear with me as I'm writing this 2 weeks later.

Yesterday we had a visitor from an organization that helps local ministries in the 10/40 window. Last summer I met someone from that organization in the US who was so excited after my presentation that he wanted for them to help me. I've had so many promises, I politely expressed my interest. Time would should.

And now Parfait actually came to visit. I showed him around, and talked with him. He's from Senegal, where their office is, and responsible for West Africa. He was very kind and interested. After some time of talking, he left, saying he'd come again today.

And he did. He took some notes while we were talking, and said he'd write a report for his organization. Relationship is important to them, so they want to get to know us first of all.

Summoned To Police

I was just standing outside the house, talking with Paul, when Jessica suddenly walked up to me. I was glad to see her, and asked how she was doing. However, she didn't look at me or reply. She just walked up to me with a stony face and handed me a paper. I looked at it - it was a summons to the police station. I asked her what this was, but she wouldn't reply. She told me to just ogo there - right now - and I'd find out. I was totally startled, and so was Paul. Then I went to get ready for this unexpected trip.

Read more details in my email newsletter by clicking here.

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Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Moving In All The Way

Please bear with me as I'm writing this 2 weeks later.

Normally, when we take in new kids, they have sleep somewhere other than in the house for one month before they move inside. That's for security reasons as many of them steal, and we want to get to know them well first, to see whether they're gonna stay at all.

Our three new children Dramane, Moise and Amadou have had to be very patient, as nearly two months had passed. But we simply had not had room for them. With the two rooms on the roof done, it was time for them to each have their own bed, mattress, and pyjama (something unknown in Mali).

Our carpenter Caleb came over to take apart three of the bunkbeds and move them up onto the roof and into one of the new rooms. We also bought several new mattresses - for the kids, and for our visitors, and the street kids needed more too.

Six of my kids were moving up there, while two remained in the main house. The other "upper room" was for one of our visitors arriving on Saturday, while the evangelist would have a room to himself in the main house.

I asked my kids to move their stuff up there, and later in the day, I gave each of the new kids a pyjama I had bought just for them. Don't they look good? They were excited to now have their own bed and sleep with the children of the house, rather than the street children.

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Monday, November 17, 2008

The Challenge To Get Home

I got up just in time to be able to go have breakfast before it was over at 10 am. It was okay (I guess the last hotel in South Africa had spoiled me :-)). Back in my room, I took advantage of the time and internet connection to write an overdue email update (see here). I got done just in time for check out at noon.

I took the shuttle back to the airport and to my terminal. I still had plenty of time. When I came to security, I remembered from last time that the Paris airport is now the most "extreme" in terms of security. You have take EVERYthing electronic out of your bags, including cables - that's camera, MP3 player, phone, charger, adapter, power cable, Nintendo, USB cable, etc. Crazy! I had taken it all out, and went through.

They stopped at my backpack and asked me what was in there. They looked inside and found the cheese I had bought in Austria to take with me to Mali. I had hoped to put it in a fridge in Paris overnight, and that's why it was in my carryon - 5 different cheeses (since there is no cheese in Mali). They started telling me I could not keep the cheese, because "no liquids or gels" are allowed, and cheese is soft and not solid. What? Are you kidding me?

I started arguing with them, and they asked the boss to come over. He told me no way could I take the soft cheese. There was nothing to be done, and with much sadness I left all the good cheese with them. I told them "bon appetit", but they answered they have to throw it away. What a waste! They're even discussing removing the "no liquid or gel" rule next year - I was a few months too early, and too naive to realize cheese was in that category.

I went to the frequent flyer lounge where I had plenty of time until the boarding of my flight at 3:50 pm. I finally came to my gate, expecting to board any time. I was so glad that my flight was not canceled this time! I already knew that the flight to Mali on Tue was full, and probably Wed by then too. They finally started pre-boarding old people, and then they made the announcement that it would be another 15 minutes before boarding because of technical problems.

Half an hour later they told us they needed to swap planes, and told us to go from gate 76 to gate 71. So everyone marched over there and sat down. Another 15 minutes later they told us to go to gate 73 to board. What a fun game!

At gate 73 we were told it would be another hour and 15 minutes before boarding would start. Our plane would therefore be 2 hours late.

I returned to the frequent flyer lounge for that time - thank God for that amenity! When I returned to the gate, we really did board, and were on our way to Mali with a 2 hour delay.

At 11 pm (midnight in France) we landed in Bamako. I went through immigration, and waited for my 3 suitcases. The porter put them on the machine where they go through to be x-rayed. I had been praying that I would not get any problems with customs. And then, they pulled one of my suitcases to the side. Great!

I had to go to the customs officer who asked me what was inside. When I said "Christmas decorations", he was satisfied. He gave me a piece of paper, and sent me off. I guess he was not in a mood to look inside my suitcase! Praise God!

On my way out I met my old employer - the school director of where I taught my first two years in Mali. I only had a minute to talk to him. Jean and Paul were waiting for me, and we made our way home.

Normally transition is hard, and I come back with mixed feelings, but this time I felt so much joy to be back! Of course I've been thinking of the weeks until Christmas, the advent calender, the wonderful times of Christmas season I'd have with the children, and I was looking forward to that. Back home, though it was late, I immediately started unpacking. To my great surprise, my cat Sweety was not angry with me like most times, and let me touch her. She actually slept on my bed all night.

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Sunday, November 16, 2008

Closer To Home

I got up at around the same time as every morning these past 10 days - 10 am. However, I've also been going to bed late.

I got on the phone with Air France right away to get onto another flight. However, it being Sunday, there was only one phone number - in Paris - for people to call. So I was on hold, waiting for my turn. Time passed more and more, and finally we realized we wouldn't get anywhere. Our only possibility was to drive to the airport. After an hour and 10 minutes on hold waiting for an Air France person to talk to me, I hung up, and we got into the car.

At the airport, there were few people and it was my turn right away. She looked up flights to Paris on the computer, and my only option was to get on an 8 pm flight. Okay!

We returned home, where we had lunch together. My friend Renate had cooked a wonderful, Austrian meal to send me off with!

At 5:30 pm my Mom came to drive me to the airport. I had two very heavy suitcases, and a third "backup" suitcase. It seemed that at least one suitcase was over the maximum limit allowed. If so, I would take some heavy things out and put it into the third suitcase, and pay for a third one to take with me. If not, the third one would stay until next time.

It was hard work getting all the luggage into the little car. We made it to the airport, and to the counter. There was no line. I had been right. Both suitcases were over the limit. I had to take out two kilos each, and put them into the third suitcase. Then I paid $200(!) for the third suitcase, and had them checked through to Bamako. It was already time to say good-bye to my Mom, and then I proceeded to my gate.

The plane left Vienna after 8 pm, and I landed in Paris at 10 pm. Because that time was too late for my friends there to pick me up, I had to book a hotel for the night. I found the place the shuttle left at, and crammed into the little bus with the others. I was glad when I got off at my hotel. It didn't take too long to get my room.

I was disappointed at the little room, and especially the lack of a bathtub, when I walked in at 11 pm. I had been looking forward to taking a bath - not this time. I paid to get on the internet, and turned on CNN, and now I'm going to bed very late.

For those who wonder what I did these past 10 days of silence in Vienna. Not much - eating great Austrian food and watching TV. Not the greatest way to rest. I also went to the fitness center to work out, which was so great, but it only worked out twice. Besides that, another highlight was seeing my nephew twice.

I've had some rest physically, and the shingles have been healing and will soon be gone all the way. I hope I'm rested enough, as I have a crazy week ahead of me, and then the evangelist with us, and then a busy Christmas season.

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Saturday, November 15, 2008

Trying To Go Home

I was supposed to fly from Vienna to Paris tomorrow, and then from Paris to Mali on Monday. However, Air France is on strike, and my flight tomorrow canceled. I have to wait until the morning before I can call and try to get on another plane.

Please pray I make it back to Mali on Monday as planned!

Pictures: my nephew Maximilian.

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Wednesday, November 5, 2008

On The Brink Of Burnout - Getting Rest

Having been sick for the past 10 days or so, with the tiredness in every way, and the upcoming visit of an Austrian evangelist and therefore much busy-ness ahead, I knew more than ever that I needed a break.

These past few days I weighed my options, wondering what to do. On Sunday, a rash broke out on my arm (it's in 3 locations now), getting worse every day. Just now - thanks to a friend's tip - I was able to confirm that it's shingles or herpes zester (Gürtelrose).

My effectiveness is close to zero right now - I'm just doing the most necessary things. I don't want to do preach another sermon, or lead another prayer meeting. I want to go somewhere where I can rest, and work out, swim. So I was looking at website of wellness hotels in Austria.

Through a series of events, and though I lack spontaneity, I came to the conclusion that I need to go to Austria. I got my "free" flight thanks to my many miles, and am leaving Mali tonight to arrive in Vienna tomorrow.

Last night I told my kids how much I miss them, and how much it bothers me not to have the energy to spend time with them. I updated them on my health. I had spoken to Paul earlier in the day.

When I announced to them this afternoon that I was leaving tonight, and then shut the door, I heard one of the new boys shouting "hallelujah". I opened the door again and told them I was shocked at their reaction. Paul was angry and told the kid to go to this room. I closed the door again and had tears run down my cheeks.

I know I've been a miserable Mom. Since we took in the new kids, I have been very busy working on a translation daily, to earn some money and help our finances. I finished that before Mozambique. And since Mozambique I've been sick, so the kids have had none of me. It hurts me to think I'm not giving them what they need.

And now I'm leaving them again. Once in Vienna, I will decide whether to go to a wellness hotel. In any case, I hope I can go work out, have lots of sleep, eat well, and get treatmeant for the shingles if there are any.

Your prayers would be much appreciated.

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Saturday, November 1, 2008

Hard Adjustment

We decided not to do a kids' program today, since we both needed some rest after our trip. I slept 12 hours last night, and needed every minute of it!

I didn't feel too great physically - diarrhea, nose running... and I didn't really want to see anyone. I did get out from time to time, and it was only frustrating to me. I got pretty discouraged, and was discouraged for the rest of the day, more or less. So many things that weren't working the way they should. I'm just tired of it.

In the evening, I had to go pick up the kids as I'm the only one with our driver's licence when our driver is not here. I really didn't want to but had no choice.

There were more kids waiting for us than I had ever seen before. We could only take half of them! I wished we had a bigger vehicle! We need a bus!

We drove back home, where I immediately retired, letting Paul take care of things.

Please pray for me.